Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Maryland has received a $350,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for its Advanced Technological Education (ATE) initiative. This 3-year grant will support Wor-Wic’s Eastern Shore Technician in Electro-Mechanics project, known as ESTEEM. The ESTEEM program is focused on providing students with practical technical experience and education so that they may be prepared to enter the workforce even before completing their associate’s degree.
Instructors at Wor-Wic are working to create a program that can accommodate students who are juggling multiple responsibilities, such as those who are already employed or have demanding schedules. The program is designed to address the various variables present in different occupations, ensuring that all students have access to the opportunities provided by the program, regardless of their unpredictable schedules. Joe Roche, department head of applied technologies, emphasized the importance of supporting students with different needs.
The grant funding from the National Science Foundation will not only support the ESTEEM program but also be used to acquire new lab equipment. This includes learning systems for robotics, which will enhance the hands-on experience available to students in the electro-mechanics program. With this new funding, Wor-Wic Community College is looking to further support its students and provide them with the tools and resources needed to succeed in the field of technology.